Candle

How does it work when we do something positive as a zechus for someone else? If they benefit, do we lose out on our reward?

The mitzvos we do are compared to a candle. Like it says, "Ner Mitzvah v'Torah Ohr." 

In the same way that a candle does not lose any of its own light when used to ignite the flame of another candle, when we do mitzvos to benefit someone else, they gain and so do we. They get the spiritual benefit of our good deed and we also get rewarded for the good that we did.

This is how we can do mitzvos as a zechus for the neshama of someone close to us to go higher in gan eden. When we do the mitzvah, whatever it is, tzeddakah, tehillim, chessed, refraining from doing something not-so-good, their neshama gets elevated in shamayim. At the same time, we get the spiritual benefit of doing that act. We grow in our middos and build up a storehouse of reward that will wait for us.

That is the beauty of a candle! It can bring light to others and brighten our own life. And every mitzvah we do for a neshama lifts them up higher. It's like sending a present to them in shamayim. And we don't lose out one bit. We gain from the mitzvah too.

May you be able to use your time in this world to bring light and blessing into the lives of everyone you know. May the zechusim you do for others bring light into your own life while enlightening theirs!

Trembling

This is a beautiful poem. It was written by Blimie Israel and I'm posting it here with her permission. I hope it touches you just like it touched me!

I stand before your throne
Trembling in fear
How can I face you
With all my sins?
A shudder passes through my heart
Thinking of all those who did depart
Will I deserve to be alive this coming year?
Will I see with clarity your tender loving care?

HaShem I know I have disappointed you
But I will try to emulate you in everything you do
Although I've strayed
I pray to you
Father guide me through
I know you're still here and you still care

Father I don't know the full extent
But you know my sincere intentions and what I meant
Please put words into me
For I am not even sure what I want or need
I'm alone and confused 
Relying on you to get me through
Even though I don't deserve it


HaShem I turn to you 
Hoping for spiritual protection
I yearn to feel your love and close connection
Please end the pain
Let it disappear
So this will be the year
We'll only share in simchas

And Moshiach will appear